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Lecture 2 Introduction to the CFD Methodology

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Introduction to ANSYS Fluent


2012 ANSYS, Inc. November 15, 2012 1 Release 14.5

Introduction
Lecture Theme:

All CFD simulations follow the same key stages. This lecture will explain how to go from the original planning stage to analyzing the end results
Learning Aims: You will learn: The basics of what CFD is and how it works The different steps involved in a successful CFD project Learning Objectives: When you begin your own CFD project, you will know what each of the steps requires and be able to plan accordingly

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What is CFD?
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is the science of predicting fluid flow, heat and mass transfer, chemical reactions, and related phenomena. To predict these phenomena, CFD solves equations for conservation of mass, momentum, energy etc.. CFD is used in all stages of the engineering process:
Conceptual studies of new designs Detailed product development Optimization Troubleshooting Redesign

CFD analysis complements testing and experimentation by reducing total effort and cost required for experimentation and data acquisition

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How Does CFD Work?


ANSYS CFD solvers are based on the finite volume method

Domain is discretized into a finite set of control volumes


species, etc. are solved on this set of control volumes

Control Volume*

General conservation (transport) equations for mass, momentum, energy,

Unsteady

Convection

Diffusion

Generation

Equation
Continuity X momentum Y momentum Z momentum Energy

f
1 u v w h

Partial differential equations are discretized into a system of algebraic equations All algebraic equations are then solved numerically to render the solution field

Fluent control volumes are cell-centered (i.e. they correspond directly with the mesh) while CFX control volumes are node-centered

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Step 1. Define Your Modeling Goals


What results are you looking for (i.e. pressure drop, mass flow rate), and how will they be used? What are your modeling options?
What simplifying assumptions can you make (i.e. symmetry, periodicity)? What simplifying assumptions do you have to make? What physical models will need to be included in your analysis

What degree of accuracy is required? How quickly do you need the results? Is CFD an appropriate tool?
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Step 2. Identify the Domain You Will Model


How will you isolate a piece of the complete physical system? Where will the computational domain begin and end?

Do you have boundary condition information at

these boundaries? Can the boundary condition types accommodate that information? Can you extend the domain to a point where reasonable data exists?

Domain of Interest as Part of a Larger System (not modeled)

Can it be simplified or approximated as a 2D or axi-symmetric problem?

Domain of interest isolated and meshed for CFD simulation.

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Step 3. Create a Solid Model of the Domain


How will you obtain a model of the fluid region?

Make use of existing CAD models? Extract the fluid region from a solid part? Create from scratch?
Can you simplify the geometry?

Remove unnecessary features that would complicate

meshing (fillets, bolts)? Make use of symmetry or periodicity? Are both the flow and boundary conditions symmetric / periodic?

Original CAD Part

Do you need to split the model so that boundary conditions or domains can be created?
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Extracted Fluid Region

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Step 4. Design and Create the Mesh


What degree of mesh resolution is required in each region of the domain? Can you predict regions of high gradients?
The mesh must resolve geometric features of interest and capture gradients of concern, e.g. velocity, pressure, temperature gradients

Will you use adaption to add resolution?

What type of mesh is most appropriate? How complex is the geometry? Can you use a quad/hex mesh or is a tri/tet or hybrid mesh suitable? Are non-conformal interfaces needed? Do you have sufficient computer resources? How many cells/nodes are required? How many physical models will be used?

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Step 5: Set Up the Solver


For a given problem, you will need to:
Define material properties
Fluid Solid Mixture

Select appropriate physical models


For complex problems solving a simplified or 2D problem will provide valuable experience with the models and solver settings for your problem in a short amount of time

Turbulence, combustion, multiphase, etc.

Prescribe operating conditions

Prescribe boundary conditions at all boundary zones


Provide initial values or a previous solution Set up solver controls Set up convergence monitors

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Step 6: Compute the Solution


The discretized conservation equations are solved iteratively until convergence Convergence is reached when:

Changes in solution variables from one iteration


to the next are negligible
Residuals provide a mechanism to help monitor this trend

Overall property conservation is achieved


Imbalances measure global conservation

Quantities of interest (e.g. drag, pressure drop) have reached


steady values
Monitor points track quantities of interest

The accuracy of a converged solution is dependent upon:


A converged and meshindependent solution on a wellposed problem will provide useful engineering results!

Appropriateness and accuracy of physical models Assumptions made Mesh resolution and independence Numerical errors

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Step 7: Examine the Results


Examine the results to review solution and extract useful data

Visualization Tools can be used to answer such questions


as:
What is the overall flow pattern? Is there separation? Where do shocks, shear layers, etc. form? Are key flow features being resolved?

Numerical Reporting Tools can be used to calculate


quantitative results:
Forces and Moments Average heat transfer coefficients Surface and Volume integrated quantities Flux Balances

Examine results to ensure correct physical behavior and conservation of mass energy and other conserved quantities. High residuals may be caused by just a few poor quality cells.

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Step 8: Consider Revisions to the Model


Are the physical models appropriate?

Is the flow turbulent? Is the flow unsteady? Are there compressibility effects? Are there 3D effects?

Are the boundary conditions correct?

Is the computational domain large enough? Are boundary conditions appropriate? Are boundary values reasonable?
High residuals may be caused by just a few poor quality cells

Is the mesh adequate?

Can the mesh be refined to improve results? Does the solution change significantly with a refined mesh, or

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is the solution mesh independent? Does the mesh resolution of the geometry need to be improved?

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Summary and Conclusions


Summary:

All CFD simulations (in all mainstream CFD software products) are approached using the steps just described
Remember to first think about what the aims of the simulation are prior to creating the geometry and mesh Make sure the appropriate physical models are applied in the solver, and that the simulation is fully converged (more in a later lecture)

Scrutinize the results, you may need to rework some of the earlier steps in light of the flow field obtained
What Next: Trainer will now demonstrate Fluent in action
Introduction
2012 ANSYS, Inc.

1. Define Your Modeling Goals 2. Identify the Domain You Will Model 3. Create a Solid Model of the Domain 4. Design and Create the Mesh 5. Set Up the Solver 6. Compute the Solution 7. Examine the Results 8. Consider Revisions to the Model

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